Fish is ideally suited for taking on the fiery, smoky flavor of a grill.
Heres what to know if you want to grill whole fish, fish fillets, or fish steaks.
Mike Lang
Grilled fish of any species is a true delight.
Mike Lang
But grilling fish can also be intimating, even to the seasoned backyard griller.
Every grillmaster has his or her tale of a grilled fish dinner that did not go as planned.
And yes, I have had my flops, too.
Mike Lang
That being said, a successful grilled fish is a goal within reach!
Here are my tips to ensure your next grilled fish dinner has your guests asking for more.
Allow the grill to preheat at high temperature for at least 15 minutes.
Ciara Kehoe
Preheating allows the grills radiant heat to heat the grill grates.
When the raw fish flesh hits the hot grate, it begins to sear and form a crust.
A well-formed crust releases the fish from the grate so it can be flipped.
Elise Bauer
An inadequate crust means sticking flesh.
We know how that turns out.
Forget the tongs.
Lori Rice
Get a wide metal spatula.
If you dont have a wide metal spatula, I would use two spatulas.
Also, consider using skewers, wood grilling planks, and perforated grill pans.
Lori Rice
When using a grill pan, be sure to preheat it with the grill.
Use a perforated grill pan for flaky fish.
Dense fish are best grilled directly on the grill grates.
For flakier fish, like catfish, tilapia, or red snapper, use a perforated grill pan.
These filets are thin and will cook fast.
Fish cooks fast thanks to its moderate thickness and the higher grilling temperature.
Its a good idea to stay close to the grill.
By the time you get a flip in, it will be ready to take the fish off!
These denser cuts hold together on the grill and provide a better chance of success.
Fish steaks are cut perpendicular to the backbone and contain large bones and skin.
However, it takes more work to eat them since bones are more of a concern.
Cant decide what to get?
Go with the freshest regardless of cut.
How to Grill a Whole Fish
Grilling a whole fish is a definite thrill for guests.
Its also a way to add more flavor by stuffing the cavity full of citrus and aromatics.
Since the fish is still intact, moving it across the grates is a breeze.
Its done when the flesh flakes away from the bones.
One of the easiest, tastiest, and widely available whole fish to grill is rainbow trout.
When using a plank,be sure to grill the plank first.
This allows the wood to start to smolder.
Using the plank will slightly extend the cooking time, but the results are spectacular.
While cedar plank salmon is well known, consider swordfish on oak or catfish on pecan.
The combinations are endless.
